I'm glad I got out early and got home safe and sound. It's really coming down hard now and accumulating. This was NOT supposed to happen like this. It was supposed to be light and stop. What a winter! I just took this photo with my Nikon with the telephoto lens looking to the very rear of my property. It's beautiful though. Mother had a good checkup.
This is a color photo. I did not convert it to black and white. There was no color out there. Just gray and black and white.

I have to go out in this wet snow in a couple of hours but am not worried. The roads are still black. I am feeling good this morning because I had a restful night and feel rather refreshed. I can't thank you enough for your words of encouragement. Who knew a blog could become a support group? I have the best followers in the world and even though we haven't met I know you are out there thinking of me. It helps to know others have been in similar situations and have such great suggestions on how to cope and become a good caregiver. xo, Rosemary

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Webster is so handsome, isn't he? He really is the world's best dog and a such good babysitter for my mom. We have follow-up appointments with two doctors tomorrow and Tuesday. I haven't had very much to say to all of my readers regarding her condition because I am usually too upset. I need a support group for caregivers in the worst way. I'm not very good at it and I hate myself for being so impatient with my lovely mother. She deserves better. Nights are the worst. We'll get through this trying time hopefully and I'll get my mom back or at least a tiny bit of her. Webster is worried too. [my photo]

This is an iPhone photo I took back in the spring with some free editing with PicMonkey for the winter. I like it, don't you? The program is not an app. Works on computer only (Mac or PC). It's awesome!

At the Berlin Zoo in Germany, this is how they recycle their Christmas trees. They feed their elephants discarded Christmas trees thrown away by residents as well as unsold trees from vendors. I don't think I've ever seen an animal eat a whole tree, have you? It's a great idea. American zoos should try this too. Found here.

This is a beautiful video with music with a cookie artist illustrating the lyrics using royal icing as her canvas. Click here if you can't see the video. You will love it. Music: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.

Cats have always fascinated me the way they can weave around prized possessions and almost never break anything. Enjoy the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday by the retailers. Eat leftovers all day too. That's the big downside to not cooking at home.

"Pluck the bird carefully and singe all over with a piece of white paper; then wipe it with a clean cloth; draw in and keep the liver and gizard.

Wash the inside well and wipe it thoroughly dry with a cloth.

Cut the neck off close to the back but leave enough of the crop skin to turn over; break the leg bone close below the knee; draw out the sinews from the thighs and flatten the breast bone to make it look plump.

Fasten the neck with a skewer over to the back; run a skewer through the pinion and thigh on the other side and press the legs as much as possible between the breast and side bones.”

A turkey of ten pounds will take about 2.5 hours to cook - a larger one three hours or more.

A never seen before 161 recipe book by Beatrix Potter has been discovered and is up for auction.

The recipes, which are believed to have been handed down over generations, include sponge cake, roast turkey and curry. The earliest entry is dated 1851 and the hand written cookbook was updated regularly over many years. Read the entire article HERE.

This vintage Thanksgiving postcard was mailed in 1910 back in the day when all turkeys were free range. I hope all of your dishes come out of the oven and make it to the table and sideboard looking and tasting just the way you hoped they would. Enjoy this day of thanks with family and friends and eat all you want. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday. Enjoy! via

Be safe if you are traveling over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house for a family Thanksgiving celebration. I thought this vintage postcard was unusual and perfect for the vegetarian/vegans out there who will be passing on the turkey but enjoying all the trimmings.

You know you want this on your Thanksgiving dessert table! The recipe is in Polish but Google Translate did a great job of converting it to English. Not sure what this means though: "Not breaking hammer mix one egg and mix until combined." It's called Pumpkin Pie with Cream but it looks more like a cake to me. Anyway, it's nice to see what people in other countries cook that would be great for our American Holiday.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

This is a beautiful photo, isn't it? The pines and other conifers were especially hard hit by Hurricane Sandy in my area. Their shallow roots and soft wood could not stand up to the high winds. I love walking in pine forests with or without snow. The smell is wonderful. via

Tabitha's shift is over and Attending Physician Webster just took over. He's keeping an eye on my mother and the cat too. He loves to sneak her food and maybe he'll have a chance while she's not looking.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week. We are on the BRAT diet here at the cottage so my mother's intestinal tract can get back to normal. Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and (white) Toast. These are all binding foods. I got rice milk and rice cereal too and some saltine crackers and chicken broth. So far, so good. Webster thinks it's all delicious.

But he's so glad we are back. Being home alone was no fun and a huge responsibility. He is trying to understand what happened but can't quite grasp the hospital situation. Anyway, Webster is glad we are returning to normal and he can go back to being a pet instead of a security guard.

I like this room with the cubbies for books and the chair beside the fireplace and the stone floor. My mother said it was so good to be home and know that everything you touch is yours. We both slept like logs last night and woke up to bright sunshine. Webster slept with me and Nurse Tabitha slept with Anna. The pets are happy to have us back. Mother had a good appetite for breakfast and she feels good.
See more reading nooks here and have a great weekend.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Home has never looked so good. The pets were happy to see my mom and now we can concentrate on getting back to normal. Anna says she feels surprisingly good! The staff at the hospital loved her. She was a model patient since she was a nurse herself at one time. Thanks for all of your wonderful notes and your prayers.

The curved tree on the far left is the one that came crashing down during Hurricane Sandy. That was one I never considered would be a potential problem. Luckily the damage was minimal...just some scraped shingles. It was definitely guided by angels.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

I love the window treatment in this room and everything else too...especially the lamp. via

I'm home for a short break to feed and walk Webster. He's been a doll during this hospital ordeal. Once a day is for feeding, walking and bathroom breaks is all he needs. He's really a dog you can trust to be home alone. The good news is that my mom will probably get to come home tomorrow afternoon. Cross your fingers for us. xo, Rosemary

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Don't you love the sculpted bushes? Broadway was the first town I visited in The Cotswolds in the 1970s. It's was love at first sight.

My mom finally got a room around 6:30 tonight. After I got her settled in I dashed home to feed and walk Webster and Tabitha. I'm running a hot bath too. I'll go back later. I hope we get to the root of her problem tomorrow.

Thank you so much for your wishes for her speedy recovery. She's miserable being away from home as we all would be. I miss my bed too.

We went to the emergency room yesterday per doctor's orders and we are still waiting for a room. The inn is full because of the hurricane. We are at the top of the list. She is dehydrated and more. Updates to follow.

I really like wha I'm seeing here. I always like antiques in a kitchen and this flip top trestle table is great. I love all the white woodwork, the wooden countertops, the unpainted wooden knobs, the white sofa, the built-in oven and cooktop. The window is fabulous and I like not having any overhead cabinets. Two thumbs up. via